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Where To Buy Air Conditioner
Most central air conditioner systems are split systems. In this type of residential air conditioning system, one part is inside the home (such as an evaporator coil attached to a furnace or a fan coil). The other component is outside (such as a heat pump or air conditioner unit, also referred to as a condenser).
where to buy air conditioner
If you are looking for HVAC home A/C units, you can choose from our three split A/C options for your home air conditioner. No matter the size of your residence, you can find the right HVAC unit for sale here.
This guide also includes recommendations for other kinds of air conditioners, namely through-the-wall units, casement-window models, and the newer U-shaped window saddle units. We have our portable air conditioner recommendations in a separate guide.
For this guide, we focus on 8,000 Btu window air conditioners. Typically suited for spaces around 350 square feet, 8,000 Btu is the most popular AC size for residential use. If you need to cool a larger or smaller room, note that most of our picks are available in several different sizes between 6,000 Btu and 12,000 Btu.
Central air conditioning systems are complicated, permanent installations that are too unique to each individual house for us to cover comprehensively. However, if your home already has a central AC system installed, we do have a guide to furnace and air conditioner filters to help you find the most effective way to remove particulates from the air in your home; we generally recommend the Nordic Pure MERV 12.
Central air conditioners circulate cool air through a system of supply and return ducts. Supply ducts and registers (i.e., openings in the walls, floors, or ceilings covered by grills) carry cooled air from the air conditioner to the home. This cooled air becomes warmer as it circulates through the home; then it flows back to the central air conditioner through return ducts and registers. To learn how central air conditioners compare to other cooling systems, check out our Energy Saver 101 Infographic: Home Cooling.
Air conditioners dehumidify the air to improve comfort. However, in extremely humid climates, when outdoor temperatures are moderate, or in cases where the air conditioner is oversized, the air may not reach a low enough humidity to achieve a comfortable level. In those instances, homeowners may reduce the thermostat setting or use a dehumidifier. But in both cases this will increase energy use, both for the dehumidifier itself and because the air conditioner will require more energy to cool the house.
In a split-system central air conditioner, an outdoor cabinet contains the outdoor heat exchanger, fan, and compressor, and an indoor cabinet contains the indoor heat exchanger and blower. In many split-system air conditioners, the indoor cabinet may contain the a furnace or the indoor heat exchanger of a heat pump. If your home already has a furnace but no air conditioner, a split-system may be the most economical central air conditioner to install.
In a packaged central air conditioner, the heat exchangers, compressor, fan, and blower are all located in one cabinet, which usually is placed on a roof or on a concrete slab next to the house's foundation. This type of air conditioner also is used in small commercial buildings. The supply and return ducts come from indoors through the home's exterior wall or roof to connect with the packaged air conditioner. Packaged air conditioners often include electric heating coils or a natural gas furnace. This combination of air conditioner and central heater eliminates the need for a separate furnace.
If your air conditioner is installed correctly, or if major installation problems are found and fixed, it should perform efficiently for years with only minor routine maintenance. However, many air conditioners are not installed correctly. As an unfortunate result, modern energy-efficient air conditioners can perform almost as poorly as older inefficient models.
Central air conditioners are more efficient than room air conditioners. In addition, they are out of the way, quiet, and convenient to operate. To save energy and money, you should try to buy an energy-efficient air conditioner and reduce your central air conditioner's energy use. In an average size home, air conditioning consumes more than 2,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year, causing power plants to emit about 3,500 pounds of carbon dioxide and 31 pounds of sulfur dioxide.
The most efficient air conditioners use 30% to 50% less energy to produce the same amount of cooling as air conditioners made in the mid 1970s. Even if your air conditioner is only 10 years old, you may save 20% to 40% of your cooling energy costs by replacing it with a newer, more efficient model.
Proper sizing and installation are key elements in determining air conditioner efficiency. Too large a unit will not adequately remove humidity. Too small a unit will not be able to attain a comfortable temperature on the hottest days. Improper unit location, lack of insulation, and improper duct installation can greatly diminish efficiency.
When buying an air conditioner, look for a model with a high efficiency. Central air conditioners are rated according to their seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER). SEER indicates the relative amount of energy needed to provide a specific cooling output. Many newer systems have SEER ratings as high as 26.
If your air conditioner is old, consider buying an energy-efficient model. Look for the ENERGY STAR and EnergyGuide labels -- qualified central units are about 15% more efficient than standard models. New residential central air conditioner standards went into effect on January 1, 2015; see the efficiency standards for central air conditioners for details, and consider purchasing a system with a higher SEER than the minimum for greater savings.
The standards do not require you to change your existing central air conditioning units, and replacement parts and services should still be available for your home's systems. The "lifespan" of a central air conditioner is about 15 to 20 years. Manufacturers typically continue to support existing equipment by making replacement parts available and honoring maintenance contracts after the new standard goes into effect.
Portable: Take cool breezes with you from room to room, house to house, or from home to work. Boasting sleek, streamlined designs, powerful air throw, and incredibly quiet operations, our portable air conditioners offer the ultimate in flexibility.
Window: With an air conditioner that was created to fit perfectly inside your window frame, you can cool your space without disrupting your design. And with some models giving you the power to heat and cool your space, they can help you create a comfortable home all year long.
With multiple types of air conditioning systems, some are better suited to certain houses than others. There is also a wide spectrum for the costs of air conditioners with window units on the low end and smart or geothermal central air conditioners on the high end. Determining which type of air conditioning system is right for you will also factor into the question of when is the best time to buy an air conditioner. Advertisement THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary. Compare Quotes From Top-rated Local HVAC Contractors
Compact, able to mount to the wall and not reliant on a ductwork system, mini-split air conditioners are popular options for people who want to add air conditioning to the home. Although mini-split units only cool the room in which they are mounted, they are relatively easy to install. On average, it costs $3,000 to install a ductless mini-split system to cool a home.
As an evaporative cooler, swamp coolers are best suited to climates with hot, dry air. Good at humidifying and cooling the air, they are efficient air conditioner options. However, they can be loud and unsightly. On average, it costs $2,500 to install a swamp cooler to cool a home.
Beyond the lowest possible price on the unit, other ways to save while buying an air conditioner include asking about tax credits and rebates that are available for highly efficient models and asking whether you can get any free upgrades such as a smart thermostat. Also remember that more expensive, more efficient may pay off in the long run with your utility bills if you plan to stay in the home for years to come. Advertisement THIS IS AN ADVERTISEMENT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisement, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary. Compare Quotes From Top-rated Air Conditioner Installers
For new customers or new homeowners, you may need some assistance in ordering replacement filters online. Considerations including air filter dimensions or sizes, minimum efficiency reporting value, and the difference between air/furnace/HVAC/air conditioner filters all play role in finding the right air filter for your residential, commercial, or industrial application.
After researching refurbished air conditioners, you may decide that buying a used one is a good idea. You could find a like-new unit that the previous owner only used a couple of times. Even an AC system from a friend or family member could probably cool your house over the summer. Here are some of the benefits of getting an old AC unit. 041b061a72